Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - June 2010
The province of B.C. has announced changes to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that will now allow foreign graduate students to fast-track their applications for permanent residency without first having to secure a job offer.
The three-year pilot program will allow foreign masters and PhD students in certain fields � natural, health and applied sciences � to file their immigration applications upon graduation.
"These highly skilled graduates are vital to helping our province succeed in a world where knowledge is the most important currency," said Moira Stilwell, B.C.�s Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. "With over 950,000 job openings anticipated by 2020, attracting international post-secondary students is one way we can meet the future needs of B.C. business for well trained, highly educated employees."
The pilot program will also extend from one to two years, the period of time that foreign graduates have to apply for residency through the PNP after graduating from a Canadian institution.
Currently, only approximately 10 percent of B.C.�s PNP applicants are graduate students.
Source: Vancouver Sun
